It was a cozy morning while I sat in my favorite chair with a fresh cup of coffee. (Good coffee is still my passion and an excellent reason to get out of bed.) I began my ritual reading of the newspaper. When I finished, I was ready to cancel delivery. God help us! If you are depressed, don’t read the news. On this particular day, every story detailed the ugly, the mean, the nasty, the sad, the violent, and all the other miserable conditions of our time. Not a way to start my day. ISH!
What to do? Is there even a “to do?” Yes, I believe there is a “to do.” We can’t just squirrel away from reality. Ugly and evil exist; it is not a new concept. We just don’t want it in our face all the time. Personally I deplore the constant barrage of violence that the media exploits 365 days a year. What to do?
I was frustrated. A person only gets frustrated when the situation is beyond her control, but I had a thought. I had recently read A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless by Danielle Steel. Upon the death of her son, a tragic BAD, she relates how she soothed a grieving heart. Her project started small. In a big van, and with a few volunteers, she drove the nasty backwaters of San Francisco giving jackets and blankets to the homeless. It was a gutsy thing to do. I cannot tell you more, or I will spoil the book.
Well here we go. I’m not the Caped Crusader, and I am not a famous author with lots of money. I can only talk back to the BAD in the world in a bitsy way. I believe that BAD is like a deadly bacteria, and it spreads, but then, on the other hand, I believe that GOOD is the miracle of life. Call me simplistic. Talk back to the BAD with a little GOOD, and it resonates.
Doing a little GOOD each day talks back to the BAD. I’ve tried it, and I can say first hand it is more than easy to forget those good intentions; my batting average is .500–one day on and one day off–but I’m not going to quit on myself. (Forgetting resonates with everyone I know!) Anyway, this idea works for me.
JUST SPRING FORWARD.
Lu
Defining GOOD……I can’t help little old ladies across the street…being a little old lady myself…but perhaps there are other gestures! There are small courtesies or good deeds…some small enough to be basic civilized behavior. There’s the friendly greeting, picking up something that’s been dropped…a thank you…..a cheery email to a correspondent. GOOD can even be for yourself…..that ten minute job that’s been waiting…finish it! Find some misplaced item….fix something that seemed impossible….the plant that you’ve pampered…finally perking up! GOOD doesn’t have to be grandiose…maybe it just needs to be the opposite of BAD!
Dear Helene:
You are spot on! One positive GOOD cancels the BAD Any size will do. A sweet smile can do the trick.
lu